Vitor Belfort: “I think I deserve a title-shot.”

UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort is 3-1 in his last four fights but all of his victories have come at 185 pounds. Likewise, Belfort’s lone loss came to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in a match-up he came close to winning early on despite short notice to prepare. As such, he feels he’s once again on the cusp of challenging for gold.

Belfort’s next effort as a 185er is scheduled for May 18 where he’ll square off against Luke Rockhold (10-1), the last man to wear middleweight gold in Strikeforce before the company went under. If victorious, as he expects to be, Belfort believes he’ll have done enough to merit another crack at the championship whether worn by current king Anderson Silva or top contender Chris Weidman.

“I have been fighting and winning all the fights in my division. I think I deserve a title-shot,” said Belfort to Bleacher Report, adding, “Let me be clear, I am not looking for a rematch with anyone. What I want is the belt. It doesn’t matter who has it.”

Belfort battled Silva back in 2011, succumbing to strikes after a perfectly-placed front kick to his face. Since then he has beaten Yoshihiro Akiyama, Anthony Johnson, and Michael Bisping. Overall, Belfort is 22-10 in his career with fifteen knockouts and instances of past success including victories over Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin.